"they derive great advantage from the trade.[1] I shall now speak "of Adem." Here the author proceeds to describe Aden, though it is certain from the context, that by Adem he had hitherto meant Adel; a mistake which may have arisen probably from the inattention of the transcribers.
This was written about the year 1290, and appears to me very valuable, from its occurring at a period when we have no other European accounts of the state of Abyssinia; and from its being throughout very consistent with the narrations extracted from their own chronicles. It is much to be regretted, however, that the author does not give the name of the king, as it might have materially assisted in clearing up the chronology of those times.
Additional Remarks respecting Massowa, made in February, 1810, partly extracted from Captain Weatherhead's Journal.
The town of Massowa stands upon an island of the same name, about three-quarters of a mile long by one-quarter broad, in north latitude 15° 36′ 15″, and east longitude 39° 23′ 30″. Its harbour is easy of access, having deep water into it, though the channel is narrow: and it will contain fifty sail of vessels with safety, provided they moor with one another to E.N.E. and another to the W.S.W. In general, the wind comes from the land all night, with gentle breezes; and towards ten o'clock in the forenoon, it veers round to the eastward, and blows fresh; but no sea of any consequence comes into the harbour, owing to the narrowness of the entrance. The island is a place of no strength, having only two pieces of cannon lying on the ground without any carriages, and one field-piece mounted, which is not safe to fire: the armed force amounting to fifteen soldiers only with matchlocks, and a few spearmen. The buildings consist of four mosques, constructed in a plain style, and a few stone houses, many of which are now in ruins; the great mass of the people residing in huts made of reeds, and covered with grass; each of which has a small yard attached to it. The town is regularly supplied with milk, bullocks, and goats from the country, which come over in a passage boat, that passes to and fro, from the island to the main, during the whole of the day. The people generally, however, come down to the jetty about eight in the morning, and return about sun-set to their respective homes: there are no wells of water on the island, but a considerable number of large tanks, which collect the rain-water, the greater part of which is kept in reserve for the purpose of supplying the Sheriffes dows; the inhabitants being furnished daily with this article from the wells at Arkeeko. The natives charge for supplying a ship one dollar for twenty skins, and a skin holds about five gallons. The trade of Massowa chiefly consists of cotton from Muscat and Bombay, which sells to good advantage in the interior, the natives manufacturing it
- ↑ It is curious to observe how completely the style is formed on that of the Arabic.
